The new mainstream Core and Core-X HEDT processors represent Intel's retaliation against AMD's Ryzen 2000-series and Threadripper 2000 HEDT lineups. Looking at the MSRPs, it seems like Intel does not want to outprice AMD, while the core configuration suggests lower overall performance, at least for the HEDT models.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-launches-9th-gen-Core-Core-X-and-Xeon-W-CPU-lineups.337408.0.html